Dwayne Page

Sheriff Patrick Ray has issued an alert asking the public to beware of a scam against would be victims.

In a prepared statement, Sheriff Ray said “I have had many calls this week about someone calling citizens here in DeKalb County claiming to be with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, who are claiming to have a warrant on the person who received the call. This is a scam,” said Sheriff Ray.

“The scammer claims this person owes a bond or fine for not showing up on a summons or not showing up to report to Grand Jury Duty. The scammer is using a local Judge’s name who issued the warrant. The scammer is trying to collect hundreds to thousands of dollars from the caller for the bond or the fine”.

“The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department DOES NOT do this practice. Hang up the phone on the caller and DO NOT send the caller any money. If you send the scammer any money, it is almost impossible to get it back. Most scammers we see are from other counties and not in the US even though it appears on your caller ID as a local number,” Sheriff Ray said

“If you are a victim of this scam and have sent money, please contact the Cookeville FBI office at 931-526-8622 to report it”.

A mother has been charged with child abuse or neglect after her four-year-old son ingested methamphetamine.

36-year-old Jessica Leann Bain of Church Street, Smithville is under a total bond of $50,000 on charges of child abuse or neglect (child under 8 years old) and possession of methamphetamine. Her court date is July 10.

The case was investigated by Detective Brandon Donnell of the Smithville Police Department who filed the following affidavits of complaint in the arrest warrants.

 “On June 18, 2025, at 7:51 p.m. Smithville Police were dispatched to the emergency room in Smithville for a 4-year-old child that had ingested Methamphetamine. Upon my arrival, I made contact with the child’s grandfather who advised that he picked the child up and noticed the child was not acting right and he took him to the hospital. The child’s mother, Jessica Bain, advised that her son had ingested left over bong water that was used to smoke the meth that was sitting on her nightstand in her bedroom. The child was transported to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. The 4-year-old child tested positive for Meth, THC, and Amphetamine”.

“On June 18, 2025 I was investigating a Child Abuse case involving a 4 year old child ingesting Methamphetamine. I went to the mother of the child’s residence on Church Street where the offense occurred and made contact with the mother, Jessica Bain. Ms. Bain gave me consent to search the residence and I found 2 grams of a crystal substance that later tested positive for Methamphetamine in Jessica Bain’s closet”.

A DeKalb County Criminal Court Jury returned a guilty verdict against 42-year-old William Ryan Hudgins Tuesday, June 24, 2025.  It took the jury only 30 minutes to deliberate and return their verdict.  

According to a media release by District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway, the Defendant, Hudgins was originally Indicted in April 2023 by a DeKalb County Grand Jury for sexual battery by authority figure.  The victim was his 17-year-old niece.  

While the family was vacationing from Michigan in a rented cabin, the Defendant (the victim’s uncle) creeped into her room to commit the act. They were vacationing as a family here between the week of Christmas and New Year.  The offense occurred on early morning hours of New Year’s Day January 1st, 2023. 

The lead detective was Stephen Barrett with the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from Chris Isom, a Criminal Investigator with the District Attorney’s Office.

Great appreciation is also shown to Niles Michigan Police Officers Carl Adam Ashley and Jacob Rosin, who responded to the family home the evening of January 1, 2023.    The victim disclosed to Michigan officers what happened to her in Tennessee at the hands of her uncle in the basement before they traveled back to Michigan.  The Victim’s parents were protective and called police when they learned of the abuse.    The Defendant confessed to his sexual battery of the child to law enforcement officers.

This case was prosecuted at trial by the Assistant District Attorney’s Jessica Krebs and Randal Gilliam, members of the District Attorney’s Child Abuse Prosecution Team.

Hudgins’ defense attorney was Mike Giaimo of Cookeville

The 2025 Little Miss of the DeKalb County Fair is Livy Hollis Slager

The 5 year old daughter of Jon and Katie Slager of Lascassas won the crown Tuesday night during the annual pageant at the fair in Alexandria which featured 11 contestants.

Slager succeeds the retiring Little Miss Jazmin Perez of Smithville, the 5 year old daughter of Joel Perez and Blanca Jones.

First runner-up in the Little Miss Pageant was Anna Lee Brelje, the 6 year old daughter of Andy and Whitney Brelje of Alexandria.

Oaklynn Grace Ferrell, 6-year-old daughter of  Keith and Devon Ferrell of Smithville was second runner-up.

Norah McKeown was judged Most Photogenic. She is the 4 year old daughter of McKaielywade and Jimmy McKeown of Smithville.

The title of Miss Congeniality went to Eloise Jean Hendrix, the 6 year old daughter of Jared and Jennifer Hendrix of Dowelltown.

Others in the top seven were Roxanna Grace Morales, 5 year old daughter of Carelis Garcia and Rodrigo Morales of Smithville;  Annabelle Rose Bowen, 5 year old daughter of Jacob and Kayla Bowen of Smithville; and Brynlee Rankhorn, 6 year old daughter of Jacob and Ashlee Rankhorn of  Rock Island, along with Eloise Jean Hendrix.

The 2025 DeKalb County Fair’s Mrs. Fair Queen is 22 year old Monica Perez of Smithville. She succeeds the 2024 queen 28-year-old Mariah Faith Kilgore of Smithville. Perez was also named Most Photogenic.

First runner-up was 30 year old MaKayla Shea Turner of Smithville and second runner-up went to 40 year old Virginia Rose Graham of Smithville.

52 year old Shelia Tiner of Sparta was awarded Miss Congeniality

The 2025 Senior Fair Queen of the DeKalb County Fair is 61 year old Twana Roberts of Smithville. She was also selected Most Photogenic. The retiring queen is 60-year-old Tammy West of Smithville.

First runner up in the pageant was 58 year old Teresa Faye Winchester Stanley of Smithville

Second runner-up went to 78-year-old Margie Ann Williams of Alexandria.

65-year-old Teresa Wright of Smithville was named Miss Congeniality.

DeKalb County Fair Events Tonight (Wednesday, June 25)

Lions Club Pavilion:

6:00 pm Little Miss Princess (7-9 years) Following: Miss Sweetheart (10-12 years)

8:15 pm OBC Children’s Choir

9:30 pm Cash Drawings

TC McMillen Arena and Ag Center

6:00 pm Lamb Grilling Ag Center
7:00 pm Kiddie Tractor Pull Ag Center

7:00 Bump N Run T.C. McMillen Arena 

Kenneth Sandlin Center- Live Demonstrations

Canning by Marilyn Spence

6 p.m. Food preparation

7 p.m. Water Bath Canning

8 p.m. Pressure Canning

For information visit https://www.dekalbcountyfairtn.com/

18-year-old Keara McKinsey Milligan is the 2025 DeKalb County Fairest of the Fair. She was crowned queen Monday evening on the opening night of the Fair.

Milligan is the daughter of Josh and Cyndi Milligan of Smithville.

She succeeds the retiring queen, Allyson Roxanne Fuller, daughter of Anthony and Amanda Fuller of Smithville.

First runner-up in the Fairest of the Fair event was Cali Beth Agee, 17 year old daughter of Kevin and Jennifer Agee of Smithville. Agee was selected as Most Photogenic

Second runner-up was Caroline Butler, 17 year old daughter of Dennis and Gina Butler of Sparta. Butler was also named Miss Congeniality.

Six contestants competed for the crown.

Meanwhile, the 2025 Junior Fair Princess of the DeKalb County Fair is Brileigh Nicole Bullard of Smithville . She was also judged to be Most Photogenic

The 15 year old daughter of Nikki and Jimmy Martin and Riley and Kayla Bullard, Brileigh was among six contestants in the pageant Monday evening.

She succeeds the retiring Junior Fair Princess, Ellie Caroline Ray, daughter of Shayne and Kandi Ray

The first runner-up was Karah Jo Ford of Smithville,  15 year old daughter of Steven and Amanda Ferrell

Second runner-up was Callen Alizabeth Tramel, 13 year old daughter of Hillary and Caleb Tramel of Smithville. Tramel was also named Miss Congeniality.

Meanwhile, 29-year-old Amber Renee Bain of Smithville was crowned the 2025 Miss Fair Queen of the DeKalb County Fair for contestants ages 21-54 on Monday night. Bain was also Most Photogenic. She succeeds the retiring queen, Brandi Liggett of Smithville

First runner-up was 22-year-old Isabel Morales- Cantu of Smithville

Attractions at the Fair tonight (Tuesday) include the following:

Lions Club Pavilion

6:00 pm Little Miss (4-6 years) Following: Mrs. Fair Queen (up to 54 years)

Following: Miss Senior Fair Queen ( 55 & up)

Following: Hot Sauce Challenge

9:30 pm Cash Drawings

TC McMillen Arena and Ag Center:

7:00 pm Corn Hole Tournament- Ag Center

7:00 pm ATV/Moto Racing- TC McMillen Arena

LIVE Sourdough Bread Demonstrations at the Kenneth Sandlin Center by Suzanne Slager:

6 p.m. Sourdough Bread

 7 p.m. Sweet Rolls

8 p.m. Dinner Rolls

For information visit https://www.dekalbcountyfairtn.com/

After years of planning, the county commission Monday night finally settled on a course of action on new jail construction.

Not only did the commission vote 10-2 to uphold the jail committee’s recommendation last week to eliminate the existing site downtown as an option for a new jail but voted 9-3 to purchase 71. 5 acres on Smith Road belonging to Tim Staley not to exceed $1.8 million with closing costs as the future home of the new jail subject to favorable core drill testing. The commission also voted 9-3 to issue a 12-year capital outlay note for the purchase of the property to be repaid with funds generated from debt service. But the commission went even further, voting 8-4 to issue a 12 year note not to exceed $35 million to build the jail. Treanor will be the architect of the project although specifics are yet to be determined, as to the number of beds, etc.

“Once the architect, Tennessee Corrections Institute, the sheriff, and county commission agree on the final drawings, they will be drawn up and sent out for bids. We will not turn a shovel until we open the bids. Everything in this whole project will be bid out,” said Commissioner and Jail Committee Chairman Larry Green.

Last year’s 51 cent tax increase for debt service to fund construction of a proposed judicial center project remains in place, even though that plan was defeated in a public referendum last November.  With the new fiscal year soon to begin, the budget committee will apparently have to determine how much of that 51-cent tax increase will be needed to fund a new jail project not to exceed $35 million and make a recommendation to the full county commission accordingly. And this time, because the commission voted to issue a 12 year note instead of general obligation bonds, the public will apparently not be able to contest it through another referendum.

One commissioner, Greg Matthews, accused the commission of taking action on matters not even on the agenda.

“This was not on tonight’s agenda and two other commissioners are not here tonight (Tony “Cully” Culwell and Brandon Donnell)”, said Matthews.

Before the meeting ended, Commissioner Matthews again expressed his frustration with the commission.

“The 51 cents that was raised last year was for a $65 million bond. That bond failed and that 51 cents should have gone back (taxpayers). Instead, we are keeping part of that money. Everybody who just said (voted) yes just lied to everybody (public) you had spoken to prior,” said Matthews

At the beginning of the meeting before the agenda was adopted, Commissioner Beth Pafford made a motion to amend it to omit action on the “capital outlay note” intended for land purchase. Commissioner Myron Rhody offered a second to the motion, but it was defeated 8 to 4. While Commissioners Pafford, Rhody, Matthews and Sabrina Farler voted for it, Commissioners Jeff Barnes, Tom Chandler, Mathias Anderson, Andy Pack, Daniel Cripps, Tony Luna, Larry Green, and Glynn Merriman voted against.

Some complained that County Mayor Matt Adcock had added the “capital outlay note” discussion to the agenda Monday afternoon which was not on the original agenda sent out Friday. Adcock explained that this issue and others including  a “paramedic school compensation agreement” were discussed during last Thursday night’s county commission workshop and that he had been asked by commissioners to add them to the agenda. The agenda also provided for “any other business properly presented”.

Later in the meeting the vote was 10-2 to eliminate the current site as an option for new jail construction. Commissioners voting to move the jail were Chandler, Luna, Green, Matthews, Pack, Anderson, Merriman, Cripps, Barnes, and Farler. Only Pafford and Rhody voted to keep the jail downtown.

Commissioner Pafford then made a motion to post an RFP (request for proposals) seeking more options from other property owners interested in selling at least 15 acres to the county for jail construction. Her motion was defeated 8 to 4 with Pafford, Anderson, Rhody, and Matthews voting for it and Green, Luna, Chandler, Pack, Merriman, Cripps, Barnes, and Farler voting against.

Commissioner Chandler later made a motion to purchase the Smith Road property for jail construction not to exceed $1.8 million plus closing costs and subject to favorable core drilling. The motion passed 9 to 3 with Commissioners Chandler, Luna, Green, Pack, Anderson, Merriman, Cripps, Barnes, and Farler voting for it and Commissioners Pafford, Rhody, and Matthews opposed.

A subsequent motion by Chandler to issue a 12-year capital outlay note to fund the purchase of the Smith Road property was also adopted 9 to 3 with Commissioners Pack, Anderson, Merriman, Cripps, Barnes, Farler, Green, Luna, and Chandler voting for it. Commissioners Matthews, Rhody, and Pafford voted against it.

Finally, Commissioner Chandler made a motion to issue a 12 year note on a jail project not to exceed $35 million.

“We received multiple quotes on sizes of a jail, 152 beds, 200 beds and the (cost) variations were like $28 million to $35 million depending upon the location. Since we have a location (Smith Road), I’ll make a motion that we issue a note not to exceed $35 million for whatever that will build whether its 152 beds, 157, 143, 190, 200 beds etc. Whatever that $35 million will pay for” he said.

 Chandler’s motion was adopted 8 to 4 with Commissioners Pack, Anderson, Merriman, Cripps, Barnes, Luna, Green and Chandler voting in favor and Commissioners Rhody, Pafford, Matthews, and Farler voting against. Farler said the budget committee should have considered it first.

The Grandpa Fair of the South, the DeKalb County Fair in Alexandria returns for its weeklong run tonight (Monday, June 23) through Saturday, June 28.

Since 1856, the DeKalb County Fair has been offering entertainment, Midway rides, food, exhibits, pageants, livestock shows and other action-packed events. Now in its 169th year, the Grandpa Fair of the South is sporting a new “Go Hog Wild” theme for 2025.

Fair events during the week this year include a bump n run derby, rodeo, tractor and truck pull, along with other old favorites, a demolition derby and motorcycle and ATV racing, among others. Lions Club Pavilion entertainment will feature a hot sauce challenge, OBC children’s choir, singer Bryli Durtschi, American Idol finalist Isaac Cole, Zone Status, and square dancing by Smithville Select, Caney Fork Circle Eight, DeKalb Dancing Delights and Center Hill Hoedown Square Dancers. Other attractions include a cattle show, pageants featuring babies to senior ladies, bingo, corn hole tournament, lamb cook-off, kiddie tractor pull, poultry show, senior day & Century Farms, junior goat show, DTC games (ages 3-12), ice cream contest, SRO dunking booth, and a nightly cash drawing. Midway rides by James Gang Amusements. Live demonstrations nightly at the Kenneth Sandlin Center featuring canning, quilting, flowers, pottery, sourdough bread, and cake making.

Monday Night June 23 _Lions Club Pavilion

6:00 pm Junior Fair Princess (13-16 years)

Following: Fairest of the Fair (17-20 years)

Following: Miss Fair Queen (21 -54 years)

Following: BINGO!

9:30 pm Cash Drawings

Monday June 23th- Ag Center & TC McMillen Arena

6:00 pm Cattle Show

Ag Center

7:00 pm  ATV/MOTO Racing

T.C. McMillen Arena

For information visit https://www.dekalbcountyfairtn.com/